Bulletin #26 - Houston winter birds #2 - ducks

David McDonald Photography
Friendswood Texas
February 5, 2008

Bulletin #26 – winter birds Houston area #2 - ducks

Hello friends,

As expected some people preferred the original format, so I will include the pictures and also post them to my Pbase web site with the links. Hopefully everyone will be happy!

Hermann Park in downtown Houston has a large pond and thus is a great location for waterfowl. Many species winter here along with some year round residents and of course the domesticated varieties.

The following photos were taken in this park Jan. 26, 2008.

The first is the Wood Duck (Aix sponsa). The drake with his long crest and vibrant colors is the most beautiful waterfowl in North America. The female is drab gray and brown, but has a large white eye-ring.

http://www.pbase.com/image/92627965 click next once

The Cinnamon Teal (Anas cyanoptera)is a small bright brown duck. There was a pair of males in the pond, but no females.

http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/92627998

The male American Widgeon (Anas americana) has a white central head stripe and is called ‘baldpate’ by hunters. There is a green stripe behind the
eye.

http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/92628057

The male Gadwall (Anas strepera) is drab brown, but has a black tail, and white wing patches.

http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/92628001

The male Redhead (Aythya americana) is appropriately named. The female is dull brown with warmer brown head.

http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/92628017 click next once

The Fulvous Whistling-Duck (Dendrocygna bicolor) is a long-necked duck with brown plumage and large white wing patches and a white tail that is seen in the second photo. This is a resident duck in Houston.

http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/92628020 click next once

The Black-bellied Whistling-Duck (Dendrocygna autumnalis) is a permanent resident and breeder in Hermann Park. It is beautiful with black belly, dark brown body and pink beak and legs. I took these photos last winter.

http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/92628028 click next once

All comments and suggestions are welcomed and appreciated.

Happy birding and photography,

David McDonald
davidkmcd@comcast.net

photos copyright 2007 - 2008 David McDonald